#Movies #PlanetOfTheApes #Dune2
I was in The City yesterday to take care of some personal business and watched the new "Planet of the Apes" (2024) movie at the Kabuki.
Didn't particularly care to see it but it was the only thing that I was willing to watch that was being shown when I was there & I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it.
The ape CGI is AMAZING and the way the screenplay was written made me "feel" something for the characters which is a hook that all movies need in order to make them successful.
I could also see how the way the movie was written set up yet another sequel, which is as to be expected in the currently imagination-challenged film industry.
Speaking of which, the DVD of "Dune 2" (2024) was just delivered to my local Amazon locker. So, I'll be watching Dune 1 & Dune 2 back-to-back sometime in the next few days.
Any sci-fi trying to do something different gets my attention. Francis Ford Coppola self-financing his story for *sure* gets my attention.
I'm intrigued.
Just got back from seeing The Fall Guy. I can't believe how badly the markering failed this movie. After weeks of commercials, all I got from it was that I had no idea what it was/ or what it was trying to be.
But it turned out to be one of the best movie experiences I've had in years. It was genuinely funny, self-aware, and referential while still having a real solid core. And it used it's premise to really satisfying ends.
Just a really, reay great action-comedy movie. The kind of thing that more summer films should be.
This weekend I watched...
Argylle (2024)
We first meet Argylle while he's on a mission and involved in an over-the-top chase scene. Within minutes you realize something is off.
But all is not what it seems. We're actually viewing a story, written by Elly Conway, her latest in a series of Argylle spy novels. What's odd though, is her stories appear to mirror real life espionage and she finds herself pursued by spies-- although all is STILL not what it seems. This unfortunately continues to happen.
It's a convoluted story and you should be informed half the 'stars' of the film are performing little more than cameos. It should also be noted the fight scenes go on for far too long. To make matters worse, the main character is annoying. Only Sam Rockwell seems to come off as a credible actor here.
It's a mess of a movie.
Stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson
Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla is not a particularly good film if looked at purely from a story standpoint: Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character is conveniently in the right place at the right time throughout the movie.
Why I have watched this movie so much is because Edwards was able to create some really stunning and strikingly memorable imagery throughout the film.
The red flares in Hawaii illuminating Godzilla and showing the scale of how large he is. The exploding airplanes at the airport. The HALO jump with the soldiers trailing red smoke while entering clouds. Godzilla silhouetted against a torn Golden Gate Bridge.
Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla is not a particularly good film if looked at purely from a story standpoint: Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character is conveniently in the right place at the right time throughout the movie.
Why I have watched this movie so much is because Edwards was able to create some really stunning and strikingly memorable imagery throughout the film.
The red flares in Hawaii illuminating Godzilla and showing the scale of how large he is. The exploding airplanes at the airport. The HALO jump with the soldiers trailing red smoke while entering clouds. Godzilla silhouetted against a torn Golden Gate Bridge.
I have Gareth Edward’s Godzilla on as background watching. I’m always amused at the scene in Hawaii where the soldiers on the rooftops employ small arms fire on Godzilla. I always wonder what the expected results were.
I have Gareth Edward’s Godzilla on as background watching. I’m always amused at the scene in Hawaii where the soldiers on the rooftops employ small arms fire on Godzilla. I always wonder what the expected results were.
Finally getting around to Dune Part Two, and while it's very good, the casting of Jessica is ridiculous. Great actress, but their age difference is only twelve years, and I keep picturing Bill & Ted saying, "Dude! That's your mom, dude!"
Brad Pitt has made some odd movies . . . most recently #BulletTrain (2022), that I didn't see at the theater but bought on DVD, that put me off but that I'm going try again later.
One of his oddest films is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) that actually is one of my favorite movies of his which I'm watching again now.
It's the story about a man to was born "old" who lived his life in reverse, getting younger & younger until he died in the care of the woman who loved & had a child with him but could not stay with him because of the different paths their lives were taking.
I can't count the times I've watch this movie but it never gets "old" to me and, if you've never seen it, I recommend that you do. Pitt is supported a talented cast including Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond, Taraji Henderson (Hidden Figures & Color Purple) & Tilda Swinton.
It's steaming again on Prime now.
Last week we watched Stanley Kubrick's first studio feature, THE KILLING (1956). Though not a commercial success, it impressed the higher-ups at MGM and led to his next project, the classic anti-war film PATHS OF GLORY (1957). Here's our discussion.
#YabtM #reviews #YouTube #movies #film #cinema #FilmMastodon #Cinemastodon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO2IIgOtImA&t=1s
Just now getting to Rebel Moon Part 2. Movie has some weird ass cinematic choices. I'm only 30 minutes in and so far I've watched about 10 minutes of people collecting grain and drinking water. Scythefi?
Also did second unit forget how to focus a lens or...half this movie looks like it has vaseline all over it.
@Starcade #Movies #SciFi #TimeTravel
#JohnCarter is one of my all time favorite "sci-fi" "time travel" films.
It's seldom mentioned and highly under rated, IMO.
A movie I completely missed when it was released and only watched for the first time last night...
John Carter (2012)
What should have been a major film, arrived and quietly disappeared at the time.
I had no idea it was based on a book series by Edgar Rice Burrough. Also I had no idea it mostly takes place on Mars.
Apparently the source material has been referential for other major sci-fi and adventure films.
It's a story about a Civil War Confederate Captain, who while searching for gold, is transported to Mars, where he encounters alien species, a princess, and a plot to manipulate control of the planet. Meanwhile he discovers he has increased strength and ability to jump great distances while on Mars.
It's not a bad film, and was surprisingly more entertaining than I expected. There are some good moments. By the way, it's also a love story.
Stars Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy. and Willem Dafoe
Lately I've been watching films I haven't previously seen. This week I watched...
Tightrope (1984)
It's a film staring Clint Eastwood as a New Orleans police detective.
In the beginning he's planning to spend time with his young daughters but is called upon to investigate a murder involving a woman returning home late at night.
What isn't apparent, is that it's another in a string of crimes in town, and they may have a serial killer on their hands.
First off, this film surprised me in that Clint, as an officer, seems to bed everyone he interrogates regarding the crimes.
Otherwise, it's a rather straight forward yet sometimes tawdry thriller with a few jump scares, and a predictable conclusion that you can anticipate a mile away.
While overall it's an entertaining film, it's not one I'd want to watch again. I guess I was expecting something else entirely.
Stars Clint Eastwood, Geneviève Bujold, Dan Hedaya, Alison Eastwood, and Jennifer Beck
Directed by Richard Tuggle
Is this a sign of the times for the movie business and creative professions in general? The Art Directors Guild (ADG) has suspended its Production Design Initiative program, which gives people hands-on training and job placements, saying, "we cannot in good conscience encourage you to pursue our profession while so many of our members remain unemployed.” The unemployment rate for members of the ADG currently stands at 75 percent. Here's more from IndieWire.
#Film #FilmIndustry #Cinema #Art #Creativity #Movies #Hollywood #EntertainmentIndustry
For more stories like this, follow @IndieWire's Film Magazine, @film-IndieWire.
Went to my local AMC to watch the movie "Civil War" yesterday that some suggest foretells a possible outcome of the current political divisions in our country.
The movie opens with the country already engaged in a civil war without revealing how or why it started & focused mainly on the chaos & anarchy witnessed by a news crew trying to cover (and eventually becoming a victim of) the disorder.
While I found the movie "entertaining" there were too way many plot gaps, character inconsistencies & implausible scenes for me to take the movie seriously.
As an Asian American, I was also annoyed that the only 2 characters in the movie who were summarily executed were Asian and that those characters were portrayed as so weak & cowardly.
Why couldn't have those characters been White as almost ALL of the other characters in the movie were? 🤔
So, I don't think this movie makes a great a "statement" on the current state of our politics as some think it does but it does provide food for thought.
The Fifth Element was released in movie theaters 27 years ago today.
This movie is an absolute masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuON7HH0UkQ
Dang this looks good. Dan Stevens makes every project he's in a little better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuON7HH0UkQ
Dang this looks good. Dan Stevens makes every project he's in a little better
Finally.
“Disney plans to release fewer movies and ‘focus more on quality’ in its key franchises.”
https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/may/07/disney-bob-iger-movie-output
I saw today that HBO has added Men and The Lighthouse this month, both of which I’ve been wanting to see for a while. They also have The VVitch, so I’ve got some good movies ahead. Currently watching Repo Man. Life is good.
Oddly enough, #TheFallGuy 's underwhelming box office performance I mostly attribute to it being a #DavidLeitch movie, as in: The movie itself probably is really entertaining, but its marketing was botched, just like the one from #BulletTrain.
I mean, I didn't even know it was based on an existing property from the 80's up until a few days ago. #movies
Bernard Hill, ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ Actor, Dies at 79
#MovieNews #Movies #Lordoftherings #Obituaries #Titanic
Today's movie...
The Idea of You (2024)
A divorced mother takes her daughter and friends to Coachella at the last minute for her ex-husband, who has VIP tickets and cannot go. There she meets the lead singer of August Moon, a boy band performing that evening. He falls for her, despite their age difference-- he's 24 and she's turning 40. The story is about him pursuing her, and what ensues.
It's an impossible love story, that's handled with charm, passion, and complications as they navigate the situation.
Stars Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine
Directed by Michael Showalter
Saw "The Beekeeper" with Jason Statham. There could not be a more awesome movie!
1. Beekeeping!
2. Old pickup truck!
3. Woodworking tools!
4. Anti-crypto/NFT
5. Plot could have come from a drunk version of my beekeeping toots about replacing a queen
6. Cybercriminals get their just desserts
7. Hero is a nice guy
8. Beekeeper as the hero
(It brought tears to my eyes, truly).
The Paramount Global merger & acquisition melodrama is continuing (as it usually does when a family-controlled conglomerate is the target.)
👀
Deadline has a new report now that the original timeline on the Skydance/Redbird offer expired at midnight.
“Deadline hears that the committee may be lookin at a so-called “go shop” provision, which allows a public company to explore competing offers even it’s already has a firm purchase offer in hand. The duration of a go-shop period is usually one to two months. “
Enjoy.
#ParamountGlobal #StarTrek #MergersAndAcquisitions #Entertainment #Television #Movies @StarTrekChat
Today I watched...
The Fall Guy (2024)
Both an homage to stunt work and the TV show from the 80's
Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, a stuntman that after an accident gives up on the profession and becomes a valet.
Emily Blunt is Jody Moreno, a cinematographer, former love, and now first time director for a sci-fi epic involving cowboys and aliens.
Colt is called back to his profession by a producer who has worked with him in the past, but also wants him to find the missing star of their new sci-fi film that he's working on.
This is a total popcorn film. Stunts become progressively more impressive as the film moves along. Not only are the stunts impressive, so are the fight sequences. It's also a love story.
I liked it!
Be sure to watch beyond the credits, which shows behind the scenes stunt work, for a final scene.
Stars Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Teresa Palmer, Stephanie Hsu, and Winston Duke
Directed by David Leitch
Stunt doubles are highly skilled and trained professionals who are often at risk through their work, but part of their job is staying away from fame. “Anonymity has always been the contract that we’ve agreed to, and it’s partly for the audience’s benefit,” says David Leitch, director of "The Fall Guy," who was Brad Pitt's stunt double for a decade. The Hollywood Reporter talked to him and Ben Jenkin, Logan Holladay and Chris O’Hara, three of the stunt performers from "The Fall Guy" about how they created the movie's action sequences, and the fight to get industry recognition for their profession. Tell us in the comments what you think the greatest stunt in movie history is.
#Movies #Hollywood #Entertainment #Film #Cinema #Stunts #TuneIn
Today is Today is National Paranormal Day.
"Don't cross the streams"
#Paranormal #Ghostbusters #Movies #Cinemastodon #Cinema #Filmastodon
Who asked for this?
#StarWars #ThePhantomMenace #Movies
Here is my #MonthlySummary for April, with the #books, #podcasts, #manga, #games, #movies and media at all I consumed during the month :P
Day 33/100 of #100DaysToOffload,
Post 1/31 for #WeblogPoMo2024!
Let's play a game! To help newcomers make connections: name subjects and topics that interest you but aren't in your profile, as tags so they are searchable. Then boost this post or repeat its instructions so others know to do the same. And be sure to Pin the post to your profile!
Here are some of my fave #hashtags:
+ #coffee
+ #beer
+ #linux
+ #cocktails
+ #music
+ #books
+ #boardgames
+ #movies
+ #videogames
+ #programming
+ #dogs
+ #cats
+ #sciencefiction
+ #history
https://variety.com/2024/biz/news/ceo-bob-bakish-out-paramount-global-1235984507/
Sure, forcing the CEO out just before earnings calls and in the middle of negotiations to sell yourself is a look. Just not a good one.
Sure it'll be great for stocks.
The soundtrack for The Greatest Hits is fantastic (as it should be since the movie revolves around music).
https://screenrant.com/the-greatest-hits-movie-soundtrack-songs/
The soundtrack for The Greatest Hits is fantastic (as it should be since the movie revolves around music).
https://screenrant.com/the-greatest-hits-movie-soundtrack-songs/
Yesterday I watched...
Challengers (2024)
Two high school tennis players are smitten with a high school tennis phenom. We flash forward to her being married, and then a series of flashbacks involving competition, sexual tension, dating, and more competition among all the leads. They all have great chemistry with one another.
By the way, just the act of eating is this film is filled with implied sexuality. Also it made me want to have a churro.
It's a film about tennis, relationships, and control.
Features a mostly techno soundtrack that thumps along with the on court and off court action.
Be aware this is an arthouse type film, and will not likely appeal to everyone. Me, however, I enjoyed it. It definitely spurred conversation afterwards.
Stars Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist
Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Today’s movie is The Greatest Hits on #Hulu.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1011082-the-greatest-hits
Today’s movie is The Greatest Hits on #Hulu.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1011082-the-greatest-hits
Code 8 Part II (2024) isn’t a bad movie, but it isn’t great either. I liked the first one and was surprised they decided to do a sequel.
The series takes the ideas of X-Men and strips the mutants of their colorful Spandex and inserts them into the real world.
The robots are still iconic, but they take backseat to some Boston Dynamics inspired robotic dogs.
The corruption in the police force trope is in high gear with this movie.
There were a couple of really great sequences in the movie. One using extreme slow motion for full effect and it turned out great.
Rated 6 out of 10.
Code 8 Part II (2024) isn’t a bad movie, but it isn’t great either. I liked the first one and was surprised they decided to do a sequel.
The series takes the ideas of X-Men and strips the mutants of their colorful Spandex and inserts them into the real world.
The robots are still iconic, but they take backseat to some Boston Dynamics inspired robotic dogs.
The corruption in the police force trope is in high gear with this movie.
There were a couple of really great sequences in the movie. One using extreme slow motion for full effect and it turned out great.
Rated 6 out of 10.
I'm currently watching a DVD of "American Fiction" (2023), which has a "Producers" (1967) & (2005) type plot twist to it, and I'm wondering how they're going to work their way out of it. 🤔
@4d3fect #AnatomyOfAFall #Movies
IDK but it's a good question . . .
a lot of very prejudicial "evidence" was allowed to be admitted in that trial that definitely would NOT be allowed in an American courtroom.
Logged into Hulu to see what movies look interesting for tonight. In the popular queue there are two Dermot Mulroney movies from 2023. Has he entered his Liam Neeson/Keanu Reeves "older dude" action star period of his career?
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000551/?ref_=tt_cl_t_2
Logged into Hulu to see what movies look interesting for tonight. In the popular queue there are two Dermot Mulroney movies from 2023. Has he entered his Liam Neeson/Keanu Reeves "older dude" action star period of his career?
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000551/?ref_=tt_cl_t_2
I started watching...
Madame Web (2024)
last night and I'm about half way through the movie.
(sigh)
Within the first 10 minutes, you realize the movie isn't being handled well.
There's problems with the dialogue, the camera angles, the story, the special effects, and even the casting feels off.
First of all, do people talk this way is real life? Some of the dialogue is laughable.
The story isn't helping. I'm half way in, and barely know any of the characters. Why are there four people dressing like Spider Man? What is the motivation behind the main villain?
I couldn't help but wonder if there were too many characters.
It's about a girl whose mother dies after giving birth to her, but the mother just before giving birth, is bitten by a mysterious and hard to locate spider. Years later the girl develops powers.
Stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott
Directed by S. J. Clarkson
"Netflix walked away after its algorithm showed the concept for “A Knight’s Tale 2” would “not be successful” among its audience."
For a decade, Hollywood hasn’t aggressively fought piracy because it saw people would pay if they made them a good deal.
But as streaming has gotten worse and more expensive, consumers turned back to file sharing. Now the industry plans to get Congress to pass new legislation to stop them.
https://disconnect.blog/hollywood-is-reviving-its-war-on-piracy/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cen0rBKLuYE
OK, I'm in. Because it's a #Deadpool #Marvel film, not a Marvel Marvel (as of late) film.
There were no surprises here. This movie is Zack Snyder parodying himself.
There's way too much slow motion -- with no reason at all.
There are a lot of characters, none of them memorable -- and there is a long sequence in the middle of the movie where each of the main characters (five or so) all take turns telling their life story -- just long exposition voiceovers. That's on top of the opening of the movie was quite a bit of exposition that included names and names and names.
The action is a snooze.
Ed Skrein's character is just evil for evil's sake. The character is paper thin. He has super human reflexes and powers because... well, we don't know. He jumps and lands with a pose because... well, because it's supposed to look cool.
Remember that robot that Anthony Hopkin's voiced for two minutes in the first movie and then disappears? It reappears and then disappears and then reappears. It's as if they didn't have enough budget to pay for Hopkin's work.
Here's the problem with Snyder: He's not a storyteller, he thinks he is, but he is not. He should not be writing scripts. He creates some stunning visuals, but the visuals are empty without any substance to make them mean something.
I was bored by this movie, even if the last 45 minutes was choke full of action, none of it was exciting or engaging -- especially after being beaten over the head with not only a long slow motion montage sequence of people farming, but also a long slow motion montage of people preparing for battle.
Rated 2 out of 10.
There were no surprises here. This movie is Zack Snyder parodying himself.
There's way too much slow motion -- with no reason at all.
There are a lot of characters, none of them memorable -- and there is a long sequence in the middle of the movie where each of the main characters (five or so) all take turns telling their life story -- just long exposition voiceovers. That's on top of the opening of the movie was quite a bit of exposition that included names and names and names.
The action is a snooze.
Ed Skrein's character is just evil for evil's sake. The character is paper thin. He has super human reflexes and powers because... well, we don't know. He jumps and lands with a pose because... well, because it's supposed to look cool.
Remember that robot that Anthony Hopkin's voiced for two minutes in the first movie and then disappears? It reappears and then disappears and then reappears. It's as if they didn't have enough budget to pay for Hopkin's work.
Here's the problem with Snyder: He's not a storyteller, he thinks he is, but he is not. He should not be writing scripts. He creates some stunning visuals, but the visuals are empty without any substance to make them mean something.
I was bored by this movie, even if the last 45 minutes was choke full of action, none of it was exciting or engaging -- especially after being beaten over the head with not only a long slow motion montage sequence of people farming, but also a long slow motion montage of people preparing for battle.
Rated 2 out of 10.
I feel special, there’s a rebels training and preparation montage too! And there’s even slow motion. Don’t spoil me Zack, don’t spoil me.
I feel special, there’s a rebels training and preparation montage too! And there’s even slow motion. Don’t spoil me Zack, don’t spoil me.
Tonight’s movie is Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver. I’m prepared for the onslaught of slow motion.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/934632-rebel-moon-part-two-the-scargiver
Tonight’s movie is Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver. I’m prepared for the onslaught of slow motion.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/934632-rebel-moon-part-two-the-scargiver
Trap Trailer
M. Night Shyamalan trailers now have twists too. Hehe. I'm guessing the reveal in the trailer isn't important and isn't the real twist of the movie.
Trap Trailer
M. Night Shyamalan trailers now have twists too. Hehe. I'm guessing the reveal in the trailer isn't important and isn't the real twist of the movie.
No spoilers, but the final shot of Sasquatch Sunset is a fantastic and poignant commentary on humanity's relationship to the wilderness.
It's such a weird experiment of a film, not perfect by any means but a worthwhile experience nonetheless.
#LetterboxdFriday #LastFourWatched #Movies #Films
The Teachers' Lounge – Superb, nailbiting film, with an amazing performance by Leonie Benesch. (She's doing some Q&As at Curzon Soho and The Garden Cinema next week, for those of you in London.) Also, give the teachers all of the money – what a job!
Letty Lynton – Locked in a legal wrangle since it was released in 1932 this has not been given a proper release since then, and is legendary for Adrian’s incredible white dress for Joan Crawford. The play on which the story was found to have been based is out of copyright next eyar, so hopefully there'll be a proper restoration of this. The copy I watched on 'the internet' 👀 was pretty terrible, all whited out and blurry, but the performances stood out. I’d love to see a good-quality version.
Corpo Celeste – Catching up on the only Alice Rohrwacher film I haven’t seen in anticipation of her new La Chimera, her debut has all the hallmarks of her later films; religion, young girls, family life. Excellent.
Lies We Tell – This version of a Sheridan Le Fanu story was only released theatrically in the island of Ireland, which is a shame, as the lead performance by Agnes O’Casey (great-granddaughter of playwright Seán) is terrific, as an orphan locked in a battle of wills with her guardian and his family.
Happy #LetterboxdFriday !
Rough week of movies. Although at least Sasquatch Sunset was interesting, and Arcadian was a decent swing that just missed.
Busy weekend ahead of me, and I'm already behind on my writing, so it'll probably be a sparse Friday next week, too.
Tonight's random double feature: Weekend at Bernie's / Dangerous Liaisons, which are Rachel from Friends's favorite movie, and the one she *says* is her favorite movie.
I recently bought & just received a used copy of #TheBulletTrain on DVD.
I'm just starting watching it and I'm already regretting the purchase. I should have known better. LOL! 😉
Fortunately, it didn't cost that much . . . and it's not the 1st (nor will it be the last) DVD of a "lousy" movie that I've purchased. 🤷♂️
***BONUS EPISODE***
Meet SFFILM Executive Director Anne Lai!
* Anne's early life and what brought her to California
* Her stint at Sundance Institute
* How she ended up at SFFILM in March 2020
* The history of North America's oldest film festival
* Highlights from this year's fest, which runs April 24–28
Link to audio and SFFILM's website in our bio. Episode also available wherever you listen to #podcasts
#SanFrancisco #USC #SundanceInstitute #SFFILM #filmfestivals #movies #films #BayArea #movietheaters #storytelling #WereAllInIt
More Blu-rays and a 4K! 🎞️
Personally, I think the best review I've written so far was for Lisa Frankenstein, so I'll take this opportunity to share it again.
